There is a related key topic that calls for reflection - The lack of distinction that exists worldwide, even within the Roman Catholic Church, between the meaning of religious fundamentalism (1) and religious fanaticism (2).

The perceived need to modernize the principles and dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church is the subject of continuous debates. Whoever opposes this view is labeled as a reactionary as the flames of the memories of the Inquisition, the Crusades against the Infidels, the intolerance of our neighbor who may have a different opinion, etc. are fanned into an all consuming fire.

The confusion arises when no distinction is made between fundamentalism and fanaticism. This lack of distinction has been fueled by a multitude of events over the centuries.

Primarily, while acknowledging the exceptions, the Roman Catholic Church has used violence as means of Evangelization, the fear of God to consolidate and retain its temporal power and its clergy has been derelict in its missionary responsibilities. However, this perverted deviations from the Revealed Truth do not justify the modification of said Truth by man. What needs to be modified is the aberrant implementation by man of the Revealed Truth (1).

The results and consequences of such confusion may be found precisely in the words of the archenemy of religion, Friedrich Nietzche:


These two paragraphs penned by Nietzsche [F. Nietzsche, "Zarathustra Speaks", 1883-1891] reflect the behavior and characteristics of what he saw in the practice of the Catholic Faith by the clergy . He assumed such behavior by the clergy to be an accurate reflection of the Catholic Faith and upon which he based his incomplete and erroneous theo-human philosophies.

How much venom has been introduced in humanity's blood stream as the result of Nietzche's misconception! All based on his equating the Catholic Faith with the Catholic Church Administration and clergy. This is why Jesus warned us about the dangers of causing scandal: Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh. [Matthew 18:7]


In Conclusion

This writer resolutely reject intolerance, however, the principles that a Christian defends are not truths that are subject to change throughout history. Invoking the principle of coherence (6), Christians believe that these are principles given by God through men and not by men. This may or may not be generally believed but, a Christian, to live up to such affiliation, must accept it.

Otherwise, such principles have to be viewed as humanly inspired and not Divinely inspired, making man Judge and Lord of the Truth as Nietzsche erroneously proposed.

It is our opinion that those who hold such view have not understood the freeing essence of Christianity (7) and try to lighten yokes (8) which do not exist, while eliminating the real essence of all religions: The submission to the principles and laws given by God for the benefit of mankind.

The modernization of the application of the Revealed Truth, so that new generations may find it easier to comprehend and relate to them, is indeed part of the Divine Plan. Modifying the Revealed Truth (9), is not.

Modernizing its application is not the same as modernizing the essence of the Revealed Truth. If we acknowledge God to be the source of Revealed Truth, then, as its source, it is Eternal; if it is indeed Eternal, it has to be Unchanging since in the Eternal Domain only the Present State exists. If it is Unchanging, it does not require to be modernized.








Originally Published in Spanish as an attachment to a letter sent to Diplomatic Corps in Spain on August 22, 1994